The Cecil Whig., 1887-11-05
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"ulsIllnS uelIlly. LON WIS neT ntpneW,
of whom she was wont to say:
''Going to college never spoiled Tom
one bit. He is just the same manly, OBJ
lging fellow he was before he went to
Harvard, and never turns up his pose at
the quiet country ways of his old home.
Here you are, auntie,' he cried, de
butter and beans. The nanny will be
over after dinner to help you. How many
new boarders to-day?''
"Only one, Tom. That makes four in
all. The last one is a friend of Miss Ell
more teaches in the same school"
Tom whistled, but it was signal of
dismay, not CHEEKY tune.
Now Tom" his aunt pleaded, per
haps she will not be so dreadful as you
imagine"
Tom looked doubtful.
"A friend of Miss Elmore's $ and Yam
kee school-marm, aud not drt0dtuN Oh,
aunte,"
ou wy ,ou you "dllI 10
get me an armtul of wood? Sarah is down
at the dairy"
The armful of wood deposited beside
the stove, and several other little
chores" cheerfully performed, Tom
started homeward again, the clear musi-
cal whistle once more ringing out in a
briS IIa Inn
Thomas Traxall, of Woodhaven. the
owner of splendid farm, where his wild
owed mother reigned as queen. He had
gone to college to please her, studied
faithfully, graduated honorabIy, and
added tue polish society gives to the in
born courtesy of a true gentleman. But
he did not care to study profession, or
establish himself in city business low
ing the free outdoor life Oh the farm,
and using his brains to direct the hands
of the men he employed. He was rich
man in the small country place, and his
mother had servants to do her bidding.
and, as her neighbors said, half envi-
ously, never need wash so much as Il
tea cup unless she'd mind to-
"Mother,' said Tom, entering the coy
room where the old lady was sewing,
"send Jerry over to Aunt Sarah's for
awhile, will you, aid tell him to do any
little work she wants done. I'm rot go
ing ever"
"Why, Tom" said his mother, what
ever is the matter?'
Then her face caught the reflection of
q suppressed merriment in his, and sic
laughed, softly but heartily.
"MisS Elmore?' she said presently.
"No, but friend she has sent. Come,
nanny, put away your work; fm going
to drive you over to the Falls until din
ner time
The falls. a favorite resort of Wood
haven people, was a branch of the river
two miles away, and fell over great rocks
in wood where the murmur of the
leaves was drowned in the rush and roar
of the cataract.
AS the carryall drove up, Toms eyes
espied a stranger seated upon the trunk
OF a fallen tree, Watching the tumbling,
foaming waters. The noise of their ap-
proach was lost in the soft grass and roar
of the waters, and the lady did not look
up as the carryall drew near.
SO Tom had a fair chance to see face
whose beauty of coloring aud feature had
the charms of youth as well. a crown of
short golden curls was half hidden under
large shade hat, pushed back to leave
exposed small oval face, with large
violet eyes and delicate features. The
figure was small, and daintily clad in a
gray travelling suit, and the tiny foot,
half hidden by the gray skirts, wore
stout walking boot. She started as the
young man spraug from his seat to tasten
the horse, but, seeing the sweet faced
old lady Tom was carefully assisting
sank back on her seat again.
"Good morning." Mrs. Traxall said.
Good morning. the stranger an
swered, i'll low, sweet voice. please
tell me, are you from Woodhaven?"
Yes
Then you can direct me there. |
started from the D. station to walk
over to Woodhaven. have walked until
am tired, and am resting here
But you must have made the wrong
turning at Smiths Farm"
Where the roads fork?'
''Yes. You took the one to the left.
Well, you must be tired. But we can
drive you back, that's one comfort.
"Oh, thank you, But-have you the
room?"
Seats for four, and we are but two.
Where are you stopping at Woodhaven?"
Il am to board at Mrs. Brch's.
My slster's."'
'Oh, Is she? That is nice. My name
is Browne-Fannie Browne"
"And mine is Traxall, This is my
son.
And Tom, who had not lost one word
of this conversation, came forward to be
formally introduced.
There was much pleasant, easy chat as
he lay on the grass at his mothers feet,
where his eyes could rest upon the lovely
face that grew animated with conversa-
tion and gradually lost the wearied look
it had worn at first. They talked of
books, of scenery. of Boston, and Miss
Browne was frankly pleasant.
Il guess, Tom, you will have to go
over to your Aunt Sarah's after all, ;"
said Mrs. Traxall, with merry eyes. 'She
depends on Tom she explained, "to
show her boarders the beauties of Wood
haven, and Tom"
Mother" cried Tom.
"Well, you see" said Mrs Traxall
not needing the imploring look, 'Sarah's
got "A Yankee school ol-marm coming there
to board. and Toms afraid of her"
Afraid" cried Miss Browne, pux-
zled.
"Yes, afraid" said Tom. stoutly
"There was one there last summer, and
it took me all winter to recover from the
shock she gave me. She wore spectacles
and she used to glare through them in
manner that sent cold, creeping shudders
all over me. She knew every thing-ab-
solutely every thing. had a FAINT idea
that 1 was not utterly ignorant, but she
convinced me of my error. Her name
was Medusa Elmore"
"The whistle, Tom" his mother cried.